MCPS Community Message: Thanksgiving Message of Gratitude from Superintendent Dr. Monifa B. McKnight

“Dear MCPS Community,

Thanksgiving is a time for reflection and gratitude – a time to focus on the good in our lives and community. Across our school district, in my visits with students, staff, and community members, I continue to witness extraordinary dedication to great teaching and learning for all students in each classroom every day. Because of you, I have great hope for the future of our county schools.

With gratitude, I give thanks to:

• Our amazing students: Thank you for being our guiding light, for sharing your gifts with us, and for giving us the privilege of witnessing your development.

• All the parents, caregivers, after and before-school program staff: You provide care and nurturing before and after school and extend learning beyond the school hours.

• Thank you to our teachers: You bring the “students first” mission to life, giving our students your all each and every day.

• Thank you to our career and technology educators, special education teachers, school psychologists, counselors, and social workers. You personalize our students’ experiences to meet their every need.

• Thank you to the food services staff, transportation staff, athletics staff, and professionals who support the clubs and other after-school activities: You ensure our kids have the food, transportation, and activities that round out their experiences.

• Thank you to our principals and school administrators: Your inspiring support to everyone else in our schoolhouses is the glue that holds our student experience together.

• In the central office, thank you to the curriculum staff, parent community coordinators, pupil personnel workers, operational and business staff, secretaries and administrative assistants, and security staff. You deliver great service to our many stakeholders.

• Thank you to our Board of Education members for your leadership and for being the voice of the community you serve.

Of course, the list goes on. For all MCPS staff whose positions are not listed, please know you are equally important and critical to our mission: ensuring students are college, career, and community ready. No matter your role in our district, please know that you are valued and appreciated. There remains much urgent work ahead if we are to ensure that our vision for rigorous, joyful, and culturally responsive learning is realized for every student in every classroom, every day. We will do this “All together now, all for our students.”

I am immensely proud to serve as your superintendent. It is an honor to celebrate all you do for the students of Montgomery County Public Schools; for this, I offer deep gratitude. Have a restful and peaceful Thanksgiving. Remember to review these helpful Thanksgiving safety tips sent by our school system medical officer last Friday.

With appreciation,

Dr. Monifa B. McKnight
Superintendent of Schools”